The Adrian College women’s basketball team opens its season Friday against Hanover at the Hanover Sudexo Classic.

Adrian finished 11-13 overall last year with a 6-10 conference record. Adrian was voted fourth in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association preseason coaches poll and is looking to make an impact from the beginning of this season.

“We have a good balance of returners and new athletes,” said Adrian coach Kathy Morris. “We want to compete at the highest level. We’re looking to improve during our non-conference schedule right off the bat. Our seniors will really help carry the team.”

Boggs has been a key component on the team since her freshman year. Last season, Boggs averaged 3.9 points, 2.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Boggs serves as team captain for the Bulldogs.

“I would like to improve by taking more initiative on the court and being a good team leader and captain,” said Boggs. “My personal goal is to have a free throw percentage of 85 percent or higher and have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio every game.”

Byers is returning to the Bulldogs after two successful seasons at Adrian. She contributed 3.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and ranked fourth in the MIAA at 1.3 blocks last season.

Playing in 59 games since her freshman year, Walker brings plenty of experience to the Bulldogs. She averaged 2.7 points in 16 games last season.

“We’re looking to pick up where we left off last year,” said Morris. “Defensively, we have a lot of players who are bringing a lot of experience. Our newcomers, both freshmen and transfers, have a lot to bring to the program and will be able to get a lot of playing time.”

The Bulldogs have other key players returning this season. Junior guard LaQwana Dockery is one of those players.

“We should be very successful this year,” said Dockery. “We have a great team with a lot of members who can contribute in different ways. We are going hard every day in practice and going 110 percent each drill. I would like to improve by winning the games that we know we should win. We want to have a winning record, leave it all out on the court every game and be a contender for the MIAA championship.”

Dockery is the top returning scorer for the Bulldogs. She averaged 8.6 points per game last season and added 4.6 rebounds.

Another important returner is Lauren Rhoads. Rhoads was a transfer from Elmhurst College last season and mostly provided a spark off the bench. She averaged 5.0 points and 1.9 rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Page 2 of 2 - “I would like to become more consistent as a player on both ends of the floor,” said Rhoads. “Now that this is my second year at Adrian College, after transferring in last year, I feel like I have developed my role on this team, and I am excited to see what this season holds for us.”

Adrian is looking to utilize its new and returning talent to make a mark during the 2012-13 season.

Defending MIAA champion and league favorite Calvin in ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division III rankings. Hope and Albion also finished ahead of Adrian in the MIAA coaches poll.

“I think we’re fortunate to play the No. 1-ranked team,” said Morris. “It gives us an opportunity to work that much harder in practice. These girls come in and work hard every day in practice and hopefully it pays off.”

Adrian looks to finish in the top four of its conference in order to advance to the MIAA Tournament.